Tried to head-butt female family member, court told

A woman was given a total of 150 hours community service when she appeared on December 23 at Craigavon Magistrates Court.

The case against Rachel McStravick (20), Church Place, Lurgan, had been adjourned from the previous week’s court so that a pre-sentence report could be updated.

She admitted disorderly behaviour and resisting police at Edward Street and Shankill Street on October 12 and disorderly behaviour at Beech Court on October 24.

The court heard that on October 12 at 6.40pm saw the defendant attempting to push a female and a male person and she said ‘you f—king b—d’. Police asked her to stop but she continued to shout at the top of her voice.

McStravick, who was intoxicated, told police to ‘f—k off’ several times. When she was arrested she kicked the door of the police vehicle and attempted to run away. Police had to restrain her.

On October 24 at 12.40am in Beech Court the defendant, who was intoxicated, was shouting and swearing loudly.

She also said ‘I don’t care I will petrol bomb her house’ before attempting to head-butt a female family member.

When later interviewed she accepted that her behaviour was out of order and said it was due to her alcohol consumption.

She claimed that she witnessed her mother being assaulted outside her house by a female neighbour and that provoked her.

District Judge, Mr Paul Copeland, said this was ‘appalling conduct’ by McStravick.

A barrister representing the defendant said she had issues with alcohol and her GP had referred her to an addictions team.

Judge Copeland said the defendant, who was in the dock, seemed to take some amusement from her ‘drunken and abusive behaviour’ but he was going to give her the opportunity to do something worthwhile for the community.